How do I remain in the Catholic Church

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Holland

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if I have to attend Mass at a church that is “cutting edge, ahead of its time”? Those quoted words are from the priest who says Mass at this particular Church and he has admitted publicly that he is a member of Call to Action. Mass at this Church is full of liturgical abuses. The core group of people in this Church like things the way they are. I only attend Mass here about once or twice a month. I try to attend Mass in a neighboring town but it is a 2 hour drive which I don’t think I can do much longer. I need some advice from some folks who are in the same boat as I am. I really don’t know how to handle this long term.
 
Holland said:
if I have to attend Mass at a church that is “cutting edge, ahead of its time”? Those quoted words are from the priest who says Mass at this particular Church and he has admitted publicly that he is a member of Call to Action. Mass at this Church is full of liturgical abuses. The core group of people in this Church like things the way they are. I only attend Mass here about once or twice a month. I try to attend Mass in a neighboring town but it is a 2 hour drive which I don’t think I can do much longer. I need some advice from some folks who are in the same boat as I am. I really don’t know how to handle this long term.
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I am in a similar situation and don’t have any answers for you, but would like to hear others’ suggestions. Fortunately for me, there are a couple of parishes that are more orthodox nearby. However, my DW likes the “cutting edge” church (or should I say "Catholic community); and my kids go to the parish school (which is better than the parish itself). So I feel like I’m stuck.

Some things that have helped have been surrounding myself with orthodoxy in other ways . . . watching EWTN; reading the Bible and Catechism (The Coming Home Network International has a pamphlet that outlines how to read both in a year . . . chnetwork.org/);😉 reading Chesterton; activity on this forum; attending a local Catholic Conference annually; listening to Catholic CDs (www.catholicity.com, lighthousecatholicmedia.com/, others); etc.

If anyone else has other suggestions, please send them along. It’s hard when orthodoxy is shunned more at my parish than in the secular world.
 
Called to Action? Aren’t we all? I’d say human rights and social justice issues are about as Catholic as it gets. Jesus lived it and questioned the status quo in order to elicit change.

You don’t need to leave the Catholic Church. Instead, why not go to this parish more often and try to understand its charism rather than dismiss it? Cutting off an ear ends a conversation, but Jesus healed that ear so that future listening can occur.

Where would you go?–and would you really want to go there? Embrace the movement of the spirit, pray and listen. Although you may not support every idea behind Call to Action, most people cannot deny that the future of our beloved Church depends not on staying the same, but on leaving spaces for the Holy Spirit to flow as He wills, not according to how we think He should.

As far as liturgical abuses are concerned, talk with the pastor about them. Can you give examples? What you see as an abuse may not really be one at all. We celebrate Mass in the same order, but there is some room for creativity, if it supports the culture of the people and ensures that the Mass stays true to the Liturgy of the Word and Liturgy of the Eucharist.

Just as the early church had radical faith in God, so must we. We really aren’t in charge and try as we might, we cannot prevent the powerful movement of the Holy Spirit who is inspiring this great awareness and indeed bursting through people all around the world. Jesus did not leave us a stagnant pool, rather he left us one with flowing water.

The more rigid the structure, the quicker it crumbles. Just keep your eyes on the Lord and strive to be like Him.
 
I would recommend finding an apostolate to join that will facilitate your spiritual growth.

Regnum Christi, Opus Dei, Legion of Mary, Apostolate for Family Consecration, a third order…

Or, I would just relocate to a community with a better parish. There are a lot of more trivial reasons people move.
 
Call to Action, for anybody who does not know, is a heretical organization that dissents not just from authoritative instruction from the Magisterium, but from the Deposit of Faith intself. Have you written your bishop? The idea that one can ride the CTA train for only a few stops is absurd. It would be like saying, “Although you may not support every idea behind the Albigensians, most people cannot deny that the future of our beloved Church depends not on staying the same, but on leaving spaces for the Holy Spirit to flow as He wills, not according to how we think He should.”

A priest in Call to Action needs to be reported to your bishop.
 
You know, I have already been there done that on all the issues that some of you are bringing up. The Biship is not going to address this problem, period. I know the difference between liturgical abuse and whinning. I appreciate your (name removed by moderator)ut Suester and have considered all that you have said at an earlier period of time. Should I abandon my conscience just to fit in when the Holy Spirit is clearly not saying the same things to me? This is not a question of social justice or human rights. This is a last ditch effort on my part to try and remain in the Catholic Church.
 
The Biship is not going to address this problem, period.
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You wrote the bishop and he explicitly said he would not do anything? If so, collect all your correspondence and send copies on to the papal nuncio in DC. That might not do much, but it will at least be on record.

In the meantime, you said you went to a mass in a neighboring town. Have you talked to the priest there with your concerns and for guidence? The bottom line is that you can’t be expected to tolerate blatant abuse and heresy.
 
Holland:

May I inquire as to your general location? Are there any religious orders near you? Often they will allow people to attend their masses, even though they do not advertise their times. That may be a good way for you to attend Mass away from your “cutting edge” parish.
 
Holland, please stay. The Church is large and grand and wholistic.
It is better with members like you! Keep your eyes on the Lord.
 
I often think of St. Thomas More when people are prepared to abandon the Church because of the corruption of its members. St. Thomas More lived in a time in which corruption was very, very bad. The pope was a corrupt, scandalous and immoral man. But, St. Thomas More still died rather than repudiate his faith.

Maybe he would be a good patron for you.
 
Thanks to everyone. You gave me some things to ponder leonie. I hope some others in the same boat as I am post a response. I really would like to see how others handle this long term.
 
Holland said:
Thanks to everyone. You gave me some things to ponder leonie. I hope some others in the same boat as I am post a response. I really would like to see how others handle this long term.
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Have you joined CUF (www.cuf.org)??) See if there is a local CUF chapter near you so you can find other like minded people.

Remember, Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist, good or bad parish. Please don’t leave the Church. We need more like you in the Catholic Church, not less.
 
And see if there are any Eastern Catholic churches in your area. They’re usually more orthodox (in more ways than one 😉 ).
 
No Catholic should have to put-up with abuses like you mention (a properly offered Mass is the right of all Catholics), but if I were in the situation you describe (with no better parish a reasonable distance away), I would continue going to Mass there for the simple reason that even a priest with nutty ideas (assuming his ordination is valid and he performs a valid consecration) makes Christ present on the altar for you to receive as the vital lifeblood of your soul! You need Christ (as we all do!) and Christ is honored by those who receive Him with love. Additionally, perhaps you could consider offering your sufferings for an increase in faithfulness at your parish and pray often for those involved.

May God bless you!

Kristen
 
Holland said:
Thanks to everyone. You gave me some things to ponder leonie. I hope some others in the same boat as I am post a response. I really would like to see how others handle this long term.
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Hello Holland,

There’s good advice on this thread. For example the Eucharist. Thankfully the priestly powers of consecration are not diminished by the sins of the priest or his modernist views.

The Eucharist is still True and Real Presence of Christ. So, while you are getting your “duckies” in order, attend weekly mass.

Don’t allow CTA mumbo jumbo to come between you and the Eucharist.
Don’t allow the abuses to come between you and the Eucharist. There is good advice about seeking another (nearby) rite that is in communioin with the Roman Pontiff.

We are living in heroic times my friend - you are in the midst of a spiritual battle and casualties are falling left & right, seduced by the the wickedness and snares of Lucifer.
Fight the good fight. These are also Marian times. Pray the rosary everyday. Hopefully confession is still untouched by the modernist abuses at this parrish. If so, go to confession weekly.
Remember, in baptism we become priests, prophets and kings. So we are called to announce, denounce and renounce.
You don’t have to get into long, litigious dissertations with anyone, just (peacefully) denounce what is wrong…anounce what is right…and renounce yourself.

Remember who has your back…Jesus, Mary, Joseph, your guardian angel and St. Michael Archangel.

Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum.
 
Thanks mangy dog. There is no Confession at this parish but I will be able to go to Confession tomorrow in a neighboring town. I am listening to all that is being said here and will make the effort to stay.
 
Holland said:
Thanks mangy dog. There is no Confession at this parish but I will be able to go to Confession tomorrow in a neighboring town. I am listening to all that is being said here and will make the effort to stay.
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May the Holy Family strengthen you and your angel to fight the good fight.

I will pray for you my friend.

Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum.🙂
 
Leaving the Catholic Church because of your “leading edge” Parish, is like demanding to be euthanised because you have a wart on your little finger.

Find another Parish.
 
Catholics who are affiliated with “Call to Action” automatically excommunicate themselves from the Catholic Church. This group advocates female ordination, contraception, same-gender relationships, “democracy” within the Church, and other changes in doctrine and discipline.

See article:

catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0606995.htm

“The judgment of the Holy See is that the activities of Call to Action in the course of these years are in contrast with the Catholic faith due to views and positions held which are unacceptable from a doctrinal and disciplinary standpoint…”

So a question arises – when a priest openly allows Call to Action to “operate” within his parish, is he excommunicating himself?

Holland, our Lord’s Church needs you to remain faithful. Please remain a light of our Lord’s love and truth for those who are being pulled from Him. Also, please do what you can to provide evidence to your bishop, archbishop, and/or the papal nuncio about what’s going on in your parish.
 
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